Saturday, August 15, 2009

One of my criteria when I was selecting my apartment was that I wanted it to be all flooring--i.e.no tatami. Still, I'm sure there are many people with tatami rooms, so here are some of the key points for tatami care/maintenance:

keep tatami dry--unless you want mold/mildew

don't wear shoes on tatami (most Japanese even take off slippers before stepping on tatami)

always wipe (with only slightly damp cloths--no harsh cleaning solutions) or vacuum along the weave of the tatami (going against the weave may damage the tatami or cause dirt to get trapped in it)

use the weak (弱) or tatami (畳) setting for vacuuming

avoid leaving carpet over tatami as it creates a moist environment for mold and ticks

place wooden boards on top of tatami under heavy objects (piano, TV, etc.)

clean and air out the tatami regularly--dry and sunny fall/spring days are best for airing

About Me

Canadian and former JET Programme ALT* who taught English in elementary and junior high schools in Towada from 2007-2012. A certified junior and senior high school English and history teacher in her home province in Canada. (*Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme, Assistant Language Teacher*)